The following resolutions were considered and acted upon by Diocesan Convention, meeting in Ontario Dec. 5 – 6.
Resolution regarding the 800th Anniversary of the Signing of the Magna Carta
Resolved that the One Hundred Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles suggest the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta on June 15, 2015, be celebrated from the pulpit on or around this anniversary date; especially remembering how the clergy and laity of the Church in this immortal instrument extorted from the tyrant King John the rights and freedoms which enabled the Church to continue its mission.
Submitted by:
Mr. Tom Wesley
St. Wilfrid of York Church, Huntington Beach; Delegate
Resolution was passed by majority vote.
Resolution regarding Disaster Preparedness
Resolved, that the One Hundred Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles encourage all congregations, schools, diocesan institutions, and offices within the Diocese of Los Angeles to have current disaster preparedness plans; and be it further
Resolved that all such congregations, schools, institutions, and offices may call upon the Diocesan Disaster Coordinators to assist in developing such plans, and annually collect information regarding the status of the disaster preparedness plan for each congregation, school, diocesan institution, and office within the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Submitted by:
The Very Reverend Canon Michael Bamberger
Church of the Ascension, Sierra Madre; Rector
Diocesan Disaster Coordinator
Resolution was passed by majority vote.
Resolution regarding Diocesan Partnership in the Charter for Compassion
Resolved that the One Hundred Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles authorize the Program Group on Ecumenical and Interreligious Life to register the Diocese of Los Angeles as a Charter for Compassion Partner; and be it further
Resolved that the Program Group enlist the Diocese of Los Angeles as an endorsing organization of “Compassionate California,” as a means of promoting compassionate action throughout the State of California; and be it further
Resolved that congregations throughout the Diocese encourage efforts in each of their cities to become a City of Compassion; and be it further
Resolved that congregations encourage their members to sign the Charter of Compassion; and be it further
Resolved that the Program Group on Ecumenical and Interreligious Life research and promote actions that spread the message of the Charter for Compassion throughout the Diocese and beyond.
Submitted by:
The Reverend Frank Alton
Program Group on Ecumenical and Interreligious Life; Member
Cathedral Congregation, Los Angeles; Priest-in-Charge
Resolution was passed by majority vote.
Resolution regarding Divestment
Resolved that the One Hundred Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles strongly encourages all congregations and institutions of the Diocese to make a commitment to the divestment of fossil fuel companies from their portfolios held directly or commingled and to refrain from any future such investments; and be it further
Resolved that the Diocese actively work for full divestment by the end of the year 2021, with annual reporting at each Diocesan convention as to progress toward that goal; and be it further
Resolved that the Diocese of Los Angeles urge the Seventy-Eighth General Convention to adopt a policy of divesting from its portfolio any and all securities, equities, debt, or other property held directly or commingled in fossil fuel companies and to refrain from making any new investments in fossil fuel companies and that General Convention strongly encourage all Dioceses, Diocesan institutions, and congregations to do the same.
Submitted by: The Rev. Peter H. Rood
Church of the Holy Nativity, Los Angeles; Rector
Resolution was passed by majority vote.
Resolution regarding Marriage Equality
Resolved that the One Hundred Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the Church in the Diocese of Los Angeles direct that the following resolution be filed with the Secretary of the General Convention for consideration by the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church:
Resolved, the Diocese of Los Angeles urges the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church to take any and all steps necessary to make the Rite of Holy Matrimony available to same-sex couples throughout The Episcopal Church immediately.
Submitted by:
Canon Jim White
General Convention Deputation; Chair
on behalf of the General Convention Deputation
Resolution was passed by majority vote.
Resolution added during diocesan convention, by action of the Committee on Resolutions
Resolution on Policing and Public Safety
Resolved, that this 119th Convention of the Diocese of Los Angeles calls upon Episcopalians to be “repairers of the breach” and “Makers of streets safe to walk in” by engaging in dialogue and cooperation with their local police about policing strategies that value all lives equally;
–continuing the work of dismantling systems of prejudice that make some members of our human family particularly vulnerable to police violence and to receiving unequal treatment in the justice system;
–standing with those members of the law enforcement community who are committed to overcoming structural racism and making liberty and justice for all a realisty in our cities, our streets and our communities;
–working against the militarization of our police forces.
Submitted by:
The Rev. Canon Edwin Bacon
Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena
Resolution was passed by majority vote.